It can be difficult to find advice about affordable hotels with a shuttle near the Jacksonville cruise port (JAXPORT) as this is a tiny port compared to the other Florida giants: Port Canaveral, Port Miami, and Port Everglades. Selecting a hotel near the Jacksonville port is also challenging, as there aren’t many options right at the port. Carnival is the only cruise line that uses this port, and its current ships that sail out of Jaxport are Ecstacy and Elation.
Below are four great Jacksonville hotel options for cruisers: one right at port, one with oceanfront access for an extra beach day, a downtown option on the Riverwalk, and a hotel close to the airport.
Hotels near Jaxport
Holiday Inn Express, Jacksonville – Blount Island
Address: 10148 New Berlin Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32226
Carnival is the only cruise line that sails from Jaxport. (Outfit: Floral two-piece set)
This property is one of the few choices located at the port, just 1.5 miles which is a short 5-minute drive. There are numerous locations within a 15-minute drive, including the Jacksonville Zoo and Anheuser Busch Brewery. The hotel partners with a local driver who is available to transport guests to the cruise port for $5 per person, and all guests receive free Wi-Fi and hot breakfast. Parking is free for guests during their stay, but Holiday Inn Express does not provide an extended parking option for cruisers, even at an additional cost.
Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Airport/I-95N
Address: 14670 Duval Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218-9429
Airport hotels aren’t generally the sexiest properties, but the Crowne Plaza rates as one of the top Jacksonville hotel choices because it hits all the marks: reasonably priced, great location, and recently renovated. It also provides a free airport shuttle to guests and free Wi-Fi, as well as an outdoor heated pool. On-site breakfast is available, although it is not free. For cruisers driving in, parking is a great value; free the night of your stay and then $5 for each additional night. The property is less than 3 miles from the Jacksonville airport, close to many of the major Jacksonville attractions, and is just 15 minutes to Jaxport.
Hampton Inn Jacksonville Beach Oceanfront
Address: 10573 Brightman Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246-7502 Given the lack of options at Jaxport, cruisers may opt to explore Jacksonville and stay at a hotel a little further out, and this property is a great choice, as it provides an extra beach day at Jacksonville Beach before the start of your cruise vacation. Located about 30 minutes from the port, it’s close enough not to add much time to transportation to Jaxport on embarkation day. Most rooms offer private balconies with oceanfront views, and guests receive free Wi-Fi and a hot breakfast. Unlike many Florida beachfront hotels, this property does not charge a resort fee, and loungers and umbrellas are available to rent at the beach.
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront
Address:Â 225 E Coastline Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32202-5458
This property puts guests not just in downtown Jacksonville but right on the scenic Riverwalk, which is at the heart of the city’s business, entertainment, and sports districts, offering dining, entertainment, and proximity to various activities. There is no airport or port shuttle, and no free breakfast, so the perk of this property is its location and river views. Free Wi-Fi is available to all guests, and it’s located about 20 minutes from Jaxport.
Getting to Jaxport
Given that Jaxport isn’t as bustling a port as the others in Florida, shuttle service isn’t as readily available. Jaxport is about 10 miles from the Jacksonville airport, which is about a 15-25 minute drive, depending on traffic.
- Cruise Line Transfer: Most cruise lines offer transfer service from airport to port, but Jaxport is the exception, as Carnival does not provide this service here.
- Taxi Service: JAXPORT’s franchised taxi service provides taxi and shuttle service between the cruise terminal and Jacksonville Airport. Cruisers can contact the taxi service at 904- 222-2222, and call for shuttle & special needs transportation 904-338-9595, Option 2.
- Rideshare: When it comes to getting to port, I typically recommend using Uber, which runs $20-30 from the airport, depending on the time of day and other factors.
- Private Transfer: Cruisers can book their own private transfer service, which is much more convenient than cruise line transfer service or hotel transfer services, which are typically on a bus or shuttle with other cruisers. Get Transfer offers transfer service for up to three people from the airport to Jaxport starting at $37, or cruisers traveling in a larger group can book a van for up to 8 people starting at $56 or a minibus for up to 16 people starting at $110.
- Public Transportation: There aren’t any easily accessible public transportation options to get to JAXPORT.
